Dawn Meats aims to become Europe’s most sustainable meat company by setting ‘ambitious’ targets to reduce energy use for 2025.

These targets include reducing water and energy intensity by 40%, as well as reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions intensity by 50%.

The company revealed the targets in its first CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) report. Sustainability across the wider business has been prioritised by Dawn since it published its first sustainability plan in 2009, according to the report.

Launching the report are CEO Niall Browne and Group Head of CSR David O’Flynn.

Launching the report are CEO Niall Browne and Group Head of CSR David O’Flynn

As a verified member of Origin Green, Dawn Meats has had its sustainability credentials endorsed by many external agencies, it added.

Dawn Meats claims to work with 15,000 Irish farmers and 5,000 British farmers, contributing over €550m to local rural economies across Ireland and €450m across the UK.

CSR Report

The completion of the CSR report would not have been possible without the commitment of Dawn Meats’ staff, CEO Niall Browne said.

“We have a really strong CSR committee at management level, but the buy-in throughout the organisation has been a credit to every member of the team.

2025 is fast approaching, and we will continue to keep a close eye on our targets to ensure that we meet and exceed them where possible.

Meanwhile, if these energy saving targets can be met, it will help build a more robust business for the future, the Group Head of CSR, David O’Flynn, said.

It is also hoped that the results of meeting these targets will benefit employees, customers and farmers, he added.

“Our CSR strategy is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and I am very excited about what we have committed to achieve and we will engage widely to deliver on these objectives,” O’Flynn said.

Last year Dawn Meats’ Eco Drive initiative saw hauliers achieve a reduction of 1m litres of fuel and saving 2,500t of CO2. These savings were achieved collaboratively through an investment by hauliers in training and more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to the company.

Dawn Meats employs 3,300 staff in eight countries and has a reported annual revenue of over €1 billion.